DESCRIPTION:

This is a new venture--a course in systematic theology, using the arts as the major tool to open up the richness and excitement of Christian orthodoxy. The main aim of the course is to discover how Christian doctrine can be explored fruitfully through the arts. In the process, the participant will find fresh ways in which doctrine can be communicated. It will be seen that the arts can be much more than ornamental and dispensable illustrations for theology--the arts can reveal and articulate theological truths in unique ways. In addition, it will be shown how unfamiliar themes in doctrine can be opened up quickly, familiar themes seen in fresh ways, distortions of theological truth avoided and even corrected.

For all involved in Christian ministry, a grasp of Christian doctrine is essential. Satisfactory completion of this course should enable the student to gain a deeper grasp of some key doctrines of the Christian faith and their potential impact in the contemporary world.

For most of Christian history the arts have been central to the life and mission of the Church. Many Christians have received their doctrinal tutoring mainly through music, literary fiction, poetry, drama, film, dance, architecture, and technology-based art. This course will enable students to use the arts more responsibly in the Church, for understanding and communicating the Gospel.

An intensive course meeting April 13-24, Monday-Friday, 7-9:50 p.m. The course will consist of lectures (including hundreds of examples of art--slides, recorded material, musical performance). Substantial time will also be given to input from participants, and exploring together the implications of specific doctrines for the Church's worship and mission. Various readings will be assigned which the student is expected to prepare before certain lectures. The course will include opportunity to take part in a collaborative group project, which will make a presentation on the last day of the course. The course will draw on the expertise of artists in the Los Angeles area. It will have close links with the Fuller Arts Festival, which will run during the second week of the course.

Begbie, Jeremy. "Theology and the Arts: Music." In D. Ford, ed. The Modern Theologians: An Introduction to Christian Theology in the Twentieth Century. Oxford: Blackwell, 1997, pp. 686-99.

______. Voicing Creation's Praise: Towards a Theology of the Arts. Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1991.

Lundin, Roger. The Culture of Interpretation, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1993.

Nouwen, H. The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming. New York: Continuum, 1995.

Begbie, Jeremy. Music in God's Purposes. Edinburgh: Handsel Press, 1989.

Dyrness, William. Rouault: A Vision of Suffering and Salvation. Eerdmans, 1971.

Fiddes, Paul. Freedom and Limit: A Dialogue between Literature and Christian Doctrine. Basingstoke: Macmillan, 1991.

Pattison, George. Art, Modernity and Faith. Basingstoke: Macmillan, 1991.

Veith, Gene Edward. State of the Arts: From Bezalel to Mapplethorpe. Crossway, 1991.

Course grade depends on (1) class attendance and participation; (2) reading of assignments; (3) either participation in a collaborative project presented the last day of the course, or a 20-page paper due May 8; and (4) one 25-page research paper due May 29.

None. Practical artistic expertise is not required; but the course will draw on the gifts of those who have such skills as fully as possible.